Article March 6, 1926 Issue

Our attention has been called to an inquiry appearing in...

Charles E. Heitman, Committee on Publication for the State of New York,—Northport

Observer

Our attention has been called to an inquiry appearing in a recent issue regarding the methods employed by Christian Science parents in the rearing of children. By way of reply, please permit us to say that inasmuch as Christian Science teaches its adherents to be practical in all things, it naturally follows that they employ practical methods in the bringing up of their children. While it is true, as stated by your inquirer, that Christian Science teaches the unreality of evil, error, and pain as a part of God's spiritual creation, this should not, however, be accepted as an indication that Christian Science ignores discordant conditions as phases of human experience. On the contrary, Christian Scientists deal with all evils, including, if you please, disobedience in children, as the effects of erroneous thinking, and they logically hold that the only permanent healing of such evils is brought about by correcting the erroneous thought which operates as the impelling or procuring cause. Naturally, a Christian Science parent, like the average parent of other religious denominations, would first resort to loving explanations and admonitions in the correction of a child; but should these fail to accomplish the desired end, the Christian Scientist would employ such corrective measures as the circumstances seemed to warrant. It must be said, however, that it is fast being demonstrated in Christian Science Sunday Schools that love and kindness, understandingly applied in the management of children, far exceed in effectiveness any other method.

It is an interesting fact that many parents who are not Christian Scientists send their children to the Christian Science Sunday School. The reason usually given by the parents is that the instruction received in the Sunday school develops a better sense of law, order, and obedience. These children are carefully taught, and what is equally important, they are quick to observe that good behavior and the consistent practice of the common virtues promptly bring their own reward. Bearing directly on this question, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, has written the following on page 51 of her book, "Miscellaneous Writings": "The use of the rod is virtually a declaration to the child's mind that sensation belongs to matter. Motives govern acts, and Mind governs man. If you make clear to the child's thought the right motives for action, and cause him to love them, they will lead him aright: if you educate him to love God, good, and obey the Golden Rule, he will love and obey you without your having to resort to corporeal punishment."

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